HUNDREDS of Birmingham schoolchildren are to be treated to the magic of Shakespeare - in Urdu.

A short version of A Midsummer Night's Dream with an Asian twist has been organised by Stratford-upon-Avon's Royal Shakespeare Company as part of a creative schools project.

The play, in English and seven Indian languages, including Hindu and Urdu, aims to appeal to the many Asian schoolchildren who speak English as a second language.

It features actors from across India and Sri Lanka who are performing the unusual version of the play as part of the REST's Complete Works Festival this summer nigh Warwickshire town.

Youngsters can see the play outdoors at Birmingham University's Wintergreen Gardens on Tuesday.

Jacqui Inhaling, projects co-ordinator of REST Learning, said: "Having worked on the play in the classroom, this is a unique opportunity for the students to see the play brought to life in spectacular fashion.

"Many of the students involved in the project are of Asian descent and have English as a second or additional language.

"Our hope then is that this production, which combines a strong physical language with various Indian languages and English, will resonate with the audience in a meaningful way".

Even though some of Shakespeare's language will be lost in the performance, the play aims to reflect the essence of his story.

The performance has been organised as part of the creative writing project led by the REST's Learning Department and is part-funded by Birmingham City Council's Urban Fusion team.

Students from Heartlands High School, in Nechells, The International School, in Tile Cross, and Four Dwellings School, in Quinton, are among the schools involved.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is being performed at the Swan Theatre, Stratford, until June 17.